2009 was a great year with many new learning experiences. As Chris Mccandless (Into The Wild) once said, “The core of mans’ spirit comes from new experiences.” I believe that to be true! Moving to the wild west of Montana was a dream of mine and I didn’t have a clue what to expect. I am happy to be living that dream now though and learning everyday from the experience. As I reflect on the different things that ‘09 brought, I think about hiking in the backcountry, bear hunting for the first time,  the big mountains,  steep terrain, and the unpredictable weather. It was breathtaking and exciting but at the same time very challenging. You learn right away that the west is tough and is not for everyone.

My first experience wasn’t very fun. Coming from Minnesota I figured my basic camo “hiking” boots and cotton socks would get the job done. Boy was I wrong! About 4 miles into the backcountry, hiking on a pretty easy trail, my heels began to burn. My hiking partner Tobin was a few yards ahead of me and I yelled to him “Lets take a break!” Tobin being a born and raised “Montanan” and natural hunter, yelled back “Lets keep going!” I explained to him that my heels were burning and he just laughed, it was like he knew this would happen. “Flat-lander” he said! So he pulled out a garbage bag from his pack and some black electrical tape and away he went fixing up my blistered heels “backcountry” style. The 4 miles out of there was hell and I will never forget it. With every step came more pain and burning and I thought to myself, “what am I doing out here!”  I wasn’t ready for the Montana Backcountry.

With moving out west came opportunity and with opportunity came even more learning. I was lucky to get a chance to pick up a camera in 2009 and start learning the skills of capturing a hunt western style. I was also very blessed to get to learn from and spend time with some great western hunters and woodsman that I was videoing. I may not have captured much video on those hunts, but I got a glimpse or I like to say “a taste” of what western hunting is all about. I also learned that staying humble, keeping your mouth shut and your ears open is a crucial part of becoming a great hunter.

As we move into 2010 I am excited to share new experiences with all of you and not only to bring you video and updates from my own journey, but to listen to your feedback and suggestions and learn from all of you who are great western hunters already. Please feel free to comment at any time and give me “true” feedback.  Tell me what I am doing wrong or right.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all.

http://www.montanagreenhorn.com

I look happy but I was really just trying to hide my fear from Tobin